Exercise and massaging apparatus

ABSTRACT

An exercise and massaging apparatus comprises a movable massaging element which is driven responsive to the expenditure of muscle power. The massaging element may form a part of the seat of the apparatus.

United States Patent 1 Sim jian Dec. 11, 1973 EXERCISE AND MASSAGING APPARATUS [76] Inventor: Luther G. Simjian, 7 Laurel Ln.,

Greenwich, Conn. 06830 221 Filed: Feb. 14, 1972 [21] Appl. No.: 226,056

[52] U.S. Cl. 128/57,128/58 [51 Int. Cl A6lh 15/00 [58] Field of Search 128/25 R, 57, 58

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS Tarr 128/25 R 2,578,916 12/1951 Believillen ..128/57 Primary Examiner-Lawrence W. Trapp Attorney-Ervin B. Steinberg 57 ABSTRACT- An exercise and massaging apparatus comprises a movable massaging element which is driven responsive to the expenditure of muscle power. The massaging element may form a part of the seat of the apparatus.

11 Ciaims, 7 Drawing Figures PATENIEDnEc 1 1 I915 SHEET 2 BF 3 PATENTEU DEC 1 1 I973 SHEET 3 OF 3 FIG. 7

tions for US. letters Pat. No. 799,113 entitled, Massaging Device Driven By Exercise Apparatus, filed 'Oct. 8, 1970, now US. Pat. No. 3,670,723 dated June 20, 1972; Ser. No. 100,165 entitled, Massaging Device," filed Dec. 21, 1970, now US. Pat. No..3,662,749 dated May 16, 1972, and Ser. No. 189,354 entitled, Massaging Device Driven By- Exercise Apparatus, filed Oct. 14, 1971, now U.S. Pat. No. 3,727,608 dated Apr. I7, 1973.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION This invention refers to a combined exercise and massaging apparatus which includes a stationary frame which is adapted to be mounted by a person desiring the exercise and massaging action. The frameincludes means adapted to be moved in response to the'expenditure of muscle power by a person positioned on the frame. Additionally, the frame supports a movable massaging means so disposed that the massaging means engages a body portion of such person when expending muscle power. Coupling means couple the means adapted to be moved to the massaging means for causing-the massaging means tobe operated, for instance rotated, in response to the expenditure of muscle power. In atypical embodiment, the massaging. means forms a portion of the seat-structure to impart a massaging action to thelower body portion of the user of the exercise and massaging apparatus. In this manner, the present apparatus serves asan exercise device while simultaneously providing a massaging action. It will be appreciated that this double action is extremely beneficial in view of the recent findings that the heart muscle should receive sufficient exercise in order to stimulate blood flow, provide sufficient oxygenation of the blood by increased lung action 'while providing simultaneously the benefits of a body massage. Hence, the present invention not only contributes to a general well feeling, but also furnishes the benefits resulting from increased physical effort.

DESCRIPTION OF THE. DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a typical embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a vertical sectional view along line 2-2 in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a partial section along line 3-3 in FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of another embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a further alternative embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 6 is an elevational side view ofa further embodiment for illustrating a still further embodiment, and

FIG. 7 is a perspective view illustrating a modification of the seat structure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION Referring now to the figures and FIGS. 1 through 3 in particular, there is shown a bicycle type stationary frame 10 made. of tubular elements 12, 14, I6 and 18. The generally vertically disposed tubular element 12 carries at its lower end a U-shaped foot 14 and at its upper end a handle bar 20, such as is commonly used on bicycles. The tubular element 16 in conjunction with the remainder of the frame supports a pedal structure 22 comprising a disk 24, a pair of crank arms 26 and 26 and respective foot rests 28 and'28'.

The seat structure of this bicycle type apparatus comprises a platform 30 having a cut-out through which a roller type massaging element 32 partially protrudes. The platform 30 is supported by structural elements 34 and 36. The massaging roller 32 is mounted upon a shaft 38, see FIG. 2, which is held in a U-shaped mount 40. The U-shaped mount is supported from the tubular member 18 by means of a pair of structural elements 42 and 44. A further rotatable shaft 46 is mounted to the members 42 and 44 by means of a pair of shaft supports 48 and 50, each including'a suitable bearing. Motion imparted to the disk 24 is transmitted via a drive belt 52 to the pulley 54 affixed to the shaft 46 which carries at one end a furtherpulley 56 also affixed to the shaft 46. The pulley 56 is coupled via drive belt 58 to the pulley 60 which is affixed to the shaft 38 upon which the massaging roller 32 is mounted, see FIG. 2. Therefore, upon rotation of the foot pedal and rotation of the disk 24, such rotational motion is transmitted via the belt 52, pulley 54, shaft 46, pulley 56, belt 58 and pulley 60 to the massaging element 32 which is positioned to engage a part of the person using the exercise and massaging apparatus by forming a part of the seat structure. The massaging element 32, as shown in FIG. 3, has a plurality of circumferential protrusions 33 and such protrusions may form a part of a cover layer 35 affixed to the circumference of a roller 7 core structure. The liner 35 with protrusions 33. may

comprise, in one embodiment, molded rubber to provide a degree of resiliency. In another alternative embodiment, the roller without a cover may be formed as an entity and being a relatively rigid structure, such as by providing a molded roller made from synthetic plastic material.

It will be apparent that the speed of rotation of the massaging roller is directly related to the effort of the person at the foot pedal. Mechanical brake means or gear shift means, not shown, may readily be incorporated to provide for additional adjustments and change the amount of effort required. The person receiving the exercise, by positioning himself on the platform 30 relative to the roller 32, may select the degree of massaging action desired.

A variation of the construction shown in FIGS. 1 through 3 is illustrated in FIG. 4 wherein the massaging element, instead of being a roller, comprises a pair of endless belts and 72. The belts rotate about a set of fixed centers determined by the shafts 74 and 76. Each shaft is provided with a respective roller 75 and 77 about which the belts 70 and '72 rotate. The motion imparted to the pedal structure 22 is transmitted via belt 52 to the pulley 54' affixed to the shaft 74 to cause rotation of the roller 75 and thereby rotation of the massaging belts 70 and 72. The operation and use of the device shown in FIG. 4 otherwise will be substantially identical with that described in connection. with FIGS. 1 through 3. t

FIG. 5 shows a rowing type apparatus comprising a frame structure 1100 which includes a set of foot rests 102. A massaging roller I06 protrudes slightly from a cut-out in a seat platform 108. A handle structure is mounted for pivotal support on a shaft 112. The lower end 113 of one handle is connected to a Pitman 114 to engage a crank arm 116 affixed to the shaft 118 of the roller 106. As the person using this apparatus pivots the handle structure 110 about the center of shaft 112, the roller 106 is rotated since, as is well known, the Pitman converts reciprocating motion of the handle to rotating motion. The apparatus depicted in FIG. 5, therefore, is one for exercising primarily the arm and shoulder muscles whereas the bicycle type apparatus is designed to exercise the lower legand upper leg muscles.

A further embodiment is shown in FIG. 6 in which the massaging element 120 is in the form of a cylindrical segment and merely is reciprocated as shown by the arrow 122, rather than rotated through complete turns as is the case inthe construction per FIG. 5. The lever 124 pivoted at I26 has limited'forward and rearward motion. This motion istransmitted via a connecting link 128 and crank 130 to the roller segment 120 which is mounted upon a shaft 132. Therefore, as the lever 1 24 is operated, the massaging element 120 undergoes a reciprocating or oscillating motion. The seat platform 140 has respective front and rear bent panels 144 and 142 which are fastened to the frame 100.

As seen, by way of example in FIG. 7, the seat platform may be made to be adjustable in elevation relative to the massaging element or elements. The platform 150 is supported on a set of tubular members 152 which telescopically engage the tubular members 152'. Suitable set screws 154, or thumb screws, are provided to adjust and secure the platform 150 relative to the massaging element so as to expose a greater or smaller upper portion of the massaging belts70, 72. This adjustment may be used also to bring the massaging roller or belts into better contact with desired body portions. It will be apparent that other height adjusting means, such as screw means, can be used to achieve the same result. Moreover, the adjusting means may be employed to impart'to the platform 150 a tilt.

It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that the present invention is extremely useful in providing an effective massaging action coupled together with the requirement to expend muscle power so that a healthful exercise and the relaxing benefits derived from a massaging action are obtained simultaneously. The present constructions are characterized, as is readily apparent, by extreme simplicity, ease of operation and a lack of complicated mechanisms.

What is claimed is:

1. An exercise and massaging apparatus comprising:

a stationary frame constructed to simulate a bicycle;

pedal means coupled to said frame and adapted to be operated by a person responsive to the expenditure of muscle power;

a movable massaging means disposed on said frame and positioned for forming at least a portion of a seat to be occupied by the person expending such muscle power, and

means coupling said massaging means to said pedal means to cause said massaging means to undergo motion for providing a massaging action responsive to the expenditure of muscle power.

2. An exercise and massaging apparatus as set forth in claim 1, said massaging means including surface protrusions for providing an enhanced massaging action.

3. An exercise and massaging apparatus as set forth in claim 1, said massaging means being constructed in the form of a roller; means rotatably supporting said roller in said frame, and said means coupling causing said roller to rotate in said means supporting at a rotational speed commensurate with the motion of said pedal means.

4. An exercise and massaging apparatus as set forth in claim 1, said massaging means being constructed in the form of an endless belt, means for supporting said belt and enabling it to rotate about a set of fixed centers, and said means coupling causing said belt to rotate about said centers at a speed commensurate with the motion of said pedal means.

5. An exercise and massaging apparatus as set forth in claim 4, said belt having at its surface a plurality of protrusions.

6. An exercise and massaging apparatus as set forth in claim 5, said protrusions being resilient.

7. An exercise and massaging apparatus as set forth in claim 5, said protrusions being substantially rigid.

8. An exercise and massaging apparatus as set forth in claim 1, said means coupling including belt drive means.

9. An exercise and massaging apparatus comprising:

a stationary frame;

motive means adapted to be operated by a person responsive to the expenditure of muscle power supported by said frame;

a seat structure mounted in fixed position to said frame, said structure including a platform having a cut-out therein;

a movable massaging means disposed on said frame with a surface portion of said massaging means positioned in said cut-out and raised relative to said platform, and

means coupling said massaging means to said motive means to cause said massaging means to undergo motion for providing a massaging action to a person occupying said seat structure and operating said motive means.

10. An exercise and massaging apparatus as set forth in claim 9, and means for adjusting said platform and cut-out relative to said surface portion of said massaging means.

11. An exercise and massaging apparatus as set forth in claim 10, said means for adjusting including a set of telescopically engaging tubular members and means for securing said engaging members in fixed position. 

1. An exercise and massaging apparatus comprising: a stationary frame constructed to simulate a bicycle; pedal means coupled to said frame and adapted to be operated by a person responsive to the expenditure of muscle power; a movable massaging means disposed on said frame and positioned for forming at least a portion of a seat to be occupied by the person expending such muscle power, and means coupling said massaging means to said pedal means to cause said massaging means to undergo motion for providing a massaging action responsive to the expenditure of muscle power.
 2. An exercise and massaging apparatus as set forth in claim 1, said massaging means including surface protrusions for providing an enhanced massaging action.
 3. An exercise and massaging apparatus as set forth in claim 1, said massaging means being constructed in the form of a roller; means rotatably supporting said roller in said frame, and said means coupling causing said roller to rotate in said means supporting at a rotational speed commensurate with the motion of said pedal means.
 4. An exercise and massaging apparatus as set forth in claim 1, said massaging means being constructed in the form of an endless belt, means for supporting said belt and enabling it to rotate about a set of fixed centers, and said means coupling causing said belt to rotate about said centers at a speed commensurate with the motion of said pedal means.
 5. An exercise and massaging apparatus as set forth in claim 4, said belt having at its surface a plurality of protrusions.
 6. An exercise and massaging apparatus as set forth in claim 5, said protrusions being resilient.
 7. An exercise and massaging apparatus as set forth in claim 5, said protrusions being substantially rigid.
 8. An exercise and massaging apparatus as set forth in claim 1, said means coupling including belt drive means.
 9. An exercise and massaging apparatus comprising: a stationary frame; motive means adapted to be operated by a person responsive to the expenditure of muscle power supported by said frame; a seat structure mounted in fixed position to said frame, said structure including a platform having a cut-out therein; a movable Massaging means disposed on said frame with a surface portion of said massaging means positioned in said cut-out and raised relative to said platform, and means coupling said massaging means to said motive means to cause said massaging means to undergo motion for providing a massaging action to a person occupying said seat structure and operating said motive means.
 10. An exercise and massaging apparatus as set forth in claim 9, and means for adjusting said platform and cut-out relative to said surface portion of said massaging means.
 11. An exercise and massaging apparatus as set forth in claim 10, said means for adjusting including a set of telescopically engaging tubular members and means for securing said engaging members in fixed position. 